12 Can't-Miss Nursery Ideas

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Serene Colors

New mom, Kelle, created a peaceful nursery for son Xavier, using a gray-and-white color scheme. She carried a butterfly theme throughout with white butterflies in a wall decal and in a light-as-air mobile over the crib. Photo courtesy of Kelle Howard-Dean

Relaxing Sitting Area

A white-washed chair makes a comfortable place to snuggle. Kelle used a budget-friendly replica of a Marcel Wanders stool as a side table, perfect for an extra baby bottle or a mug of tea. Photo courtesy of Kelle Howard-Dean

Include Unexpected Elements

The driftwood rod Kelle used for Xavier's wardrobe acts as a rustic focal point. Hung by fishing line, it floats under a crisp white shelf. Photo courtesy of Kelle Howard-Dean

Personalize a Wall Mural

Interior decorator, Annie Wise, and her husband Eric, welcomed new baby, Victor, to their Portland home. They celebrated their city's unique history and their love of midcentury architecture when designing Victor's nursery. They painted the 1950's alien-invasion mural, complete with Portland's most iconic buildings. Photo courtesy of Annie Wise

Go for Vintage Furniture

Annie chose a vintage dresser as a changing table, adding to the room's midcentury flavor. The chalkboard wall anchors the corner and offers a spot for love notes from mom and dad. Photo courtesy of Annie Wise

Color Harmony

When choosing colors, consult the color wheel. Complementary colors, those opposite on the color wheel, like green and orange, make for natural partners. Annie and Eric made the adorable alien pillows. Photo courtesy of Annie Wise

Layer Patterns

Designer Shirry Dolgin Fulton had a great starting point for this feminine nursery: the Graham and Brown wallpaper requested by the mom-to-be, who wanted a timeless, feminine look for baby Ella. Design by Shirry Dolgin Fulton

All Natural

It took Lauren and Miranda's parents 12 tries to settle on this crisp apple green for their twins' modern-safari nursery. Without the white and brown accents, the green might have been overwhelming; instead, it's charming. Photo courtesy of John Burton Brown

Creative Lighting

The most magical element in this nursery is the starry ceiling, created by fiber-optic LED lights installed in the crawl space. Miranda and Lauren fall asleep to their soft glow. Photo courtesy of John Burton Brown

Display What You Love

A simple bookcase holds the girls' toys, books and memorabilia. Picture frames and larger books are stored out of reach. Photo courtesy of John Burton Brown

When the time came to fashion a nursery that welcomes Baby Helen Napier gently into the world, it's no surprise that Erin thought carefully and deeply about every single detail. No surprise, either, that a certain proud dad might handcraft a beautiful wooden crib to help furnish Helen's little universe.